9

ARGENTINE

THOMPSONS

RESEARCH BY

MAR

TY

 MORGAN

Auto-Ordnance was very anxious to make sale of their new Thompson Submachine Gun to everyone in 1921.

They actively sought sales all over the globe. Initially, they used Colt's extensive sales force of dealers. One such

sales contact was a company called Portalis and Company,  Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Argentina is a very interesting country when it comes to firearms. Due to gold rushes and other economic driving

forces, Argentina enjoyed a heavy arms business. Many times Argentina could not purchase the arms necessary for

there needs. So they set up and produced copies of arms or parts as needed. Portalis and Company was a very large

firearms dealer and were well known in the region.

From Auto-Ordnance records we know that at least two shipments of ten Thompson Model of 1921As were

shipped to Portalis and Company. One shipment of ten TSMGs was on June 21, 1921 and another was on Sept. 14,

1921.

Several of these early Thompsons were sold to the Capital Police of Buenos Aires (Policia De La Capital). What

make these Thompsons so interesting is that these guns were modified in Argentina to have a compensator added

to the muzzle. This interesting muzzle break is very professionally made and appears more robust than if they had

requested Cutts Compensators from the United States.

These Thompsons are now on display in the National Arms Museum in Buenos Aires along with original C and L

drums, box magazines and a locally produced suppressor for the Thompson. Accompanying the display are copies

of the original sales receipt from Portalis and several pieces of Auto-Ordnance sales literature all in Spanish.